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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-17 PacketMinutes of the Regular Meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission Edina City Hall Community Room Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 7:00 P.M. Members In Attendance and Roll Call: Steve Christianson, Dianne Plunkett Latham, Bill Sierks, Michael Platteter, Paul Thompson, Hailey Lee, Julie Risser, Surya Iyer Absent: M. Germana Paterlini, Jeannie Hanson Staff Present: Heather Worthington, Jane Timm 1. Welcome & Roll Call Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Iyer. 2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda. Commissioner Risser made a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Platteter seconded. Motion carried. 3. Approval of the January 20, 2010 Meeting Minutes. Commissioner Latham made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2010 meeting. Commissioner Thompson seconded. Motion carried. 4. Community Comment None 5. Staff Update Assistant City Manager, Heather Worthington showed two short videos on electric cars (BMW and Nissan). 6. Commission Business Heather distributed an updated, color coded, GreenStep Cities Review and Recommendation sheet. There was a discussion about Urban Forest and it was decided a Task Force would be needed consisting of EEC Commissioners Latham and Hansen, Planning Commissioner Schroeder, Park Board Commissioner Hulbert, and Forester Horwath. The Chairs of the Working Groups were instructed to take the GreenStep information back to their Working Groups and prepare a report for the March EEC meeting. There was a discussion about the Volunteer Recognition Award Reception to be held April 29, 2010, at Edinborough Park. Commissioner Sierks made a motion to nominate Jim Jones for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to nominate Sarah Zarrin with Edina Go Green for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Commissioner Sierks seconded. Motion carried. Ms. Worthington asked the commission to appoint a commissioner from the EEC to the Public Work Site Plan Project. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to nominate Commissioner Platteter to the Public Work Site Plan Project. Commissioner Christianson seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Thompson gave the Commission information on Twin Cities Sustainable Communities Conference, March 12 and 13, 2010. Commissioner Thompson gave the Commission information on the Report to the Community scheduled for March 23, 2010 from approximately 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Edina City Council Chambers. The Press Release for the Report to the Community was discussed and consensus was to forward to Jennifer Bennerotte for publication. Commissioner Thompson will represent the EEC at the joint bike event meeting with Bike Edina Task Force from 8:15 to 8:30 pm on March 11, 2010. Commissioner Christianson gave the Commission information about the Minnetonka rain barrel event in April. After discussion, it was decided to put the information on the website. Chair and Vice Chair Elections: Chair Iyer thanked the Commission for the honor of serving as chair for the last 2 years. Commissioner Sierks nominated Commissioner Platteter for Chairperson. Commissioner Iyer nominated Commissioner Latham for Chairperson. Paper ballots were cast. The outcome was a tie, 4-4. A discussion was held, and it was decided the election would take place at the March meeting when the absent members would have the opportunity to vote. It was also decided that Chair Iyer would be interim Chairperson through March 2010. The election of Vice Chairperson would also be addressed at the March 2010 meeting. 7. Adjournment Commissioner Platteter made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. March 11, 2010 at Edina City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Jane M. Timm, Deputy City Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission Edina City Hall Community Room Thursday, March 11, 2010, 7:00 P.M. Members In Attendance and Roll Call: Dianne Plunkett Latham, Bill Sierks, M. Germana Paterlini, Jeannie Hanson, Michael Platteter, Paul Thompson, Julie Risser, Surya Iyer Absent: Steve Christianson, Hailey Lee Staff Present: Heather Worthington, Jane Timm 1. Welcome Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Iyer. 2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve the meeting agenda with amendments. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried. 3. Approval of the February 17, 2010 Meeting Minutes. Commissioner Latham made -a Motion to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2010 meeting. Commissioner,Raterlini seconded. Motion carried. 4. Community Comment Diana Windhorst, 4907 Lakeview Drive was in attendance and wanted some general information about the Energy and Environment Commission. S. Staff Update Assistant City Manager, Heather Worthington announced that City Manager, Gordon Hughes would retire July 30, 2010. 6. Commission Business Chair and Vice Chair Elections: Two candidates were nominated; Commissioner Platteter and Commissioner Latham. Paper ballots were cast. The outcome was 5-3. Commission Latham was elected Chairperson. There was one candidate for Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Paterlini was elected as Vice Chair. Commissioner Thompson gayg,,an ,update and encouraged all commissioners to attend the Twin Cities Sustainable Community Conference March 12 and 13. Commission Thompson gave an update on the March 23, Report to the Community. There was a discussion and the event was finalized. Ms. Worthington gave an update on the GreenStep Cities meeting she attended with the four other pilot cities. They discussed: • Goals, • Best Practices • Missing Best Practice -Air Quality • Hara Measurement Tool Kristina Smitten a consultant on behalf of Urban Land Institute Minnesota will meet with Hara and get a demonstration of the software package. Commissioner Latham showed a website for Easy Office Recycling. There was a discussion about endorsement by the EEC and it was decided not to endorse the website, but forward the information to the Edina Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Latham introduced`a product stewardship resolution that was supported by the Edina Recycling and Solid Waste. Working Group. Commissioner Latham made a motion that Edina City Council be requested to endorse the Product Stewardship Resolution. Commissioner Risser seconded. Rollcall Vote: Ayes: Latham, Paterlini, Hansen, Risser, Sierks Nays: Iyer, Platteter Abstain: Thompson Motion carried. Commissioner Platteter talked about working on a residential program that is set up specifically for Edina or a program that already exists. Commissioner Platteter and Sierks will meet with utility companies. They are in the informational stage at this time. Commissioner Latham brought handouts from the 9 Mile Creek Watershed. They are willing to come to the city and present a 2 hour workshop on water and natural resource management. Commissioner Platteter gave information about USGBC Conference (United State Green Building Councils) in May 2010. After a discussion about the cost and how many commissioners should go they decided to table it until the April 2010 EEC meeting. Any commissioner interested in going was instructed to contact Ms. Worthington. Commissioner Risser gave an update on the new intern, Elizabeth Templin. She would be working on EEC issues and located in the Planning Department of Edina City Hall. 7. Adjournment Commissioner Latham made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Sierks seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. April 8, 2010 at Edina City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Jane M. Timm, Deputy City Clerk EDINA PUBLIC MEETING PROCEDURES During "Public Hearings" the Chair will ask for public comment after City staff members make their presentations. If you wish to speak on the topic, you are welcome to do so as long as your comments are relevant to the discussion. To ensure fairness to all speakers and to allow the efficient conduct of a public hearing, speakers must observe the following guidelines: Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes or less. The Chair will modify presentation times, as deemed necessary. Try not to repeat remarks or points of view made by prior speakers and limit comments to the matter under consideration. In order to maintain a comfortable environment for all those in attendance, the use of signs, clapping, cheering or booing or any other form of verbal or nonverbal communication is not allowed. During "Community Comment," the Chair will ask to hear from those in attendance who would like to speak about something not on tonight's agenda. Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes and cannot speak to an issue for which a public hearing was previously held and closed within the last thirty days or a matter scheduled for a future hearing on a specific date. Individuals should not expect the Chair or Commission to respond to their comments. Instead, the Commission might direct the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting. ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION AGENDA FOR MEETING March 11, 2010, 7:00 PM — 9:00 PM 1) Welcome, Call to Order, and Roll Call (2 min) 2) Discussion and Approval of Agenda and Agenda times (3 min) 3) Discussion and Approval of February 2010 Minutes (5 min) 4) Community Comment (10 min) 5) Staff Update (10 min) 6) Commission Business Chair Elections (15 mins) Green Cities (45 mins) EasyOfficeRecycling.com website approval (Dianne 10 mins) Product Stewardship Resolution (10 mins) March 23- Report to the Community Event (Paul Thompson 10 mins) 7) Adjourn The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large -print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 72 hours in advance of the meeting. DATE: February 3, 2010 Solid Waste TO: SWMCB Policy Staff Management Coordinating FROM: Linda Gondringer, RRA Boa rd SUBJECT: SWMCB Product Stewardship: Resolution 2010-02 Commissioner Jim Kordiak, Chair Anoka County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt Background vice Chair Ramsey County On January 27, 2010, the SWMCB adopted a Product Stewardship Commissioner Joseph Harris the Minnesota Legislature to rer SecretResolution urging adopt a product Dakota County Dakota County stewardship framework and encouraging the SWMCB members and other Commissloner Dick Lang jurisdictions to adopt similar resolution. Anoka County Commissioner Jim Ische This resolution, and all similar resolutions passed by other jurisdictions, Carver County can be used as a communication piece to demonstrate to the Minnesota Commissioner Tom Workman Carver County Legislature the importance of product stewardship to local government. Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord Dakota County This resolution is consistent with the SWMCB adopted its 2010 Legislative Commissioner Jan Callison Hennepin County Policy Positions which included the following position supporting product Commissioner Peter McLaughlin stewardship. Hennepin County Commissioner Janice Rettman Ramsey County Product Stewardship Commissioner Gary Kriesel SWMCB strongly supports product stewardship among manufacturers, Washington County Commissioner Use Walk retailers, and consumers, with the emphasis placed on industry Washington County through an Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Approach, Acting Deputy Commissioner Tim Scherkenbach The Framework would create effective producer led reduction, reuse Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and recycling programs, to deal with the a product's lifecycle impacts from design through end of life management, without relying solely on state and local governments. SWMCB also supports specific product stewardship efforts. Product Stewardship Described The attached document highlights what product stewardship is and why it is important to local government. These points may be helpful to you as you advance the resolutions through your county. Formal Fact Sheets and PowerPoint presentations are under development. Next Steps Please ask your County board to adopt a similar resolution as soon as reasonably possible. Also, SWMCB asks that counties share this resolution with its municipalities and request that they also adopt a similar resolution. A template resolution has been attached as a word file. 477 Selby Avenue a* St. Paul, Minnesota 55102 RECYCLING. 651 222-7227 ��. ' 651 223-5229 www.swmcb.org Once a resolution has been passed by your county, please send a copy of the resolution to: Samatha Werre SWMCB 477 Selby Avenue St. Paul, MN 55101 Swerre@rranow.com Please also ask your municipalities to send a copy of resolutions passed to the SWMCB. The resolutions will be used by SWMCB during conversations with legislators and others. If you have any questions, please call me at 651-222-7227. Product Stewardship What is product stewardship? Product Stewardship is a strategy through which manufacturers and others along the product chain share in the financial and physical responsibility for collecting and managing products in an environmentally sound manner at the end of their useful lives. Why is product stewardship important? Nearly 75% of today's waste is manufactured goods and packaging. Products and packaging may contain hazardous materials, and some can be expensive to manage as waste. Counties and cities in Minnesota are responsible for assuring that waste is managed properly, and this can cost a lot of money. What is a product stewardship framework? A framework is a comprehensive approach to product stewardship that emphasizes flexibility but offers the opportunity to move past the current product -by-product approach. A framework seeks to: • Create a successful approach to address environmental impacts of products; • Create a common set of expectations for product stewardship efforts; • Create consistency in identifying and evaluating potential products; and • Promote high quality product stewardship programs, whether mandated or voluntary. How much is spent on managing waste? How waste is handled in Minnesota is complex and expensive. The MPCA estimates that Minnesota residents and businesses spend $1 billion each year to manage waste. These costs include collection, transportation, processing and disposal of products, but don't include costs for some problem materials or hazardous wastes. Most of the money goes to private firms that handle the waste. Public dollars are spent mostly on household hazardous waste management, recycling, composting, and clean-up of old landfills. Resolution SUPPORT FOR PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP WHEREAS, Minnesotans produce an average of more than one ton of garbage per person each year — more than 6 million tons annually, a substantial amount of which is placed into landfills or incinerated resulting in wasted resources; and WHEREAS, Local government in Minnesota is held responsible by the State for waste management outcomes, including assuring recycling opportunities, regulating and enforcing solid and hazardous waste laws, hazardous waste collection, and other costly waste management programs; and WHEREAS, Minnesota cities and counties currently spend more than $55 million annually on recycling and household hazardous waste programs and receive approximately $14 million annually in funding from the State; and WHEREAS, The way Americans produce, deliver, procure and dispose of goods and services accounts for 42% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. However, those emissions can be greatly reduced through enhanced source reduction, reuse and recycling (Opportunities to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Materials and Land Management Practices U.S. EPA 2009); and WHEREAS, Consumer products and packaging may contain materials that are difficult to recycle, toxins such as heavy metals, certain plastics, or harmful substances that pose a threat to human health and the environment; and WHEREAS, Local governments do not design or market products and do not profit from their sale, but are spending public resources to deal with and manage the rising volume of discarded products; and WHEREAS, manufacturers and others along the product chain are able to reduce the environmental impact of their products and reduce the amount of trash directed to landfills and incinerators by creating and financing take -back programs, reducing packaging, designing products to be less toxic and easier to recycle, and providing consumers with the information they need to make responsible environmental purchasing, reuse, recycling, and disposal decisions; and WHEREAS, When producers are responsible for ensuring their products are reused, recycled or otherwise managed responsibly, and when health and environmental costs are included in the product price, there is an incentive to design products that use fewer resources, reduce unnecessary product elements and/or packaging, are easier to repair or reuse, use recycled materials, are more durable, are easier to recycle, and are less toxic; and WHEREAS, when end -of -life management costs are internalized in the price of a product, comprehensive market signals are provided to the consumer so they can make informed decisions; and WHEREAS, State government has incorporated principles of product stewardship into agreements with the battery and electronics industries to arrange for collection and recycling of their products at the end of their useful lives thus reducing adverse health and environmental impacts from these consumer products; and WHEREAS, Extended Producer Responsibility Framework approach is more efficient than trying to address individual products on a case-by-case basis because the framework establishes criteria, processes, and plans to provide a consistent yet flexible approach and a common set of expectations for identifying and evaluating products to be managed through EPR and for developing a stewardship program for those identified products; and WHEREAS, The EPR Framework Approach has been endorsed by the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board and is part of the legislative agenda for the Minnesota League of Cities and the Association of Minnesota Counties. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that urges the Minnesota Legislature to enact the Minnesota Product Stewardship Act and urges Congress to enact nationwide producer responsibility legislation. Adopted , 2010 By: Its: Recycling and Solid Waste Working Group A subcommittee of the Edina Energy and Environment Commission Edina City Hall, Community Conference Room January 7, 2010 Working Group Members Present: Dianne Plunkett Latham, Chair; Tim Rudnicki, Michelle Horan, Melissa Seeley and Jim Jones. Staff Member Present: Solvei Wilmot, Recycling Coordinator and Assistant Sanitarian Guests: Go Green a group of environmentally concerned citizens: Sarah Zarrin, Mary Webalowsky, Meg Davidson, Melody Chestler, and Laura Davis. Laura Benson, resident and Catherine Fuller, resident. Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. Approval of Minutes Ms. Seeley MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 12, 2009. Mr. Jones SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED. Community Comments Ms. Zarrin from Go Green, shared a presentation that she had given to the Energy and Environment Commission regarding single use plastic bags. The focus of the presentation was to encourage the reduction of plastic bags and/or ban plastic bag use at retail areas in Edina. Canvas bags were the recommended bag over paper for a reusable option. The second part of Ms. Zarrin's presentation focused on business recycling. Two neighboring communities have ordinances that require businesses to have recycling, Bloomington and St. Louis Park. Members of the Work Group thanked Ms. Zarrin and Go Green for their input. Ms. Latham reported that the Work Group is working on a presentation for businesses and that Edina is part of MPCA's Green Cities. Green Cities is a program that the Energy and Environment commission is working on that will establish priorities for improving waste reduction, carbon foot print reduction, water conservation and energy savings. So the timing for the Go Green's efforts is perfect. Reports Mr. Jones reported a few updates to the commercial recycling presentation. He is ready to share the presentation with building owners and the Edina Chamber of Commerce. The Recycling and Solid Waste Work Group endorsed the commercial recycling presentation. Ms. Seeley and Ms. Horan have meeting with the Soccer Association regarding recycling at athletic events. The Soccer Association will forward information to the teams to encourage the use of recycling containers at the fields. Survey Discussion Members reviewed the survey questions. Ms. Fuller is interested in organized refuse hauling for the City of Edina. Members discussed next steps for the survey. Ms. Latham commented that there are several options for proceeding. The first will be receiving Edina City Council's input which will be heard at a work session on February 1, 2010 at 5 p.m. Adjourn Meeting adjourned 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Solvei Wilmot, R.S. Recycling Coordinator and Assistant Sanitarian Recycling and Solid Waste Working Group A subcommittee of the Edina Energy and Environment Commission Community Conference Room, Edina City Hall Thursday, February 4, 2010 Working Group Members Present: Chair, Dianne Plunkett Latham; Tim Rudnicki, Melissa Seeley and Jim Jones. Members Absent: Michelle Horan, Laura Davis Guest: Julie Mellum, Member of Air and Water Workgroup of the Energy and Environment Commission. Staff Member Present: Solvei Wilmot, Recycling Coordinator and Assistant Sanitarian Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. Approval of Minutes Mr. Rudnicki MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM JANUARY 7, 2010. Ms. Seeley SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED. Reports Commercial Recycling — Jim Jones Mr. Jones presented a web page for Easyofficerecycling.com. Members made some suggestions for changes and additions. The Energy and Environment Commission will review the website prior to public access and City endorsement. Athletic Association Recycling — Melissa Seeley Ms. Seeley will be presenting to association presidents February 22. The soccer association is willing to support recycling as long as there are recycling bins available at the park for use. The park department has applied for a grant to use towards the purchase of 2 outdoor recycling bins. One would be located at Pamela Park and the other at Lewis Park. An option for the other parks is that of having a residential recycling bin available in a comfort station. Green Steps Cities Update The Energy and Environment Commission had a Work Session with City Council on Feb. 1, 2010. At the Work Session the survey for recycling collection process and garbage collection was tabled. At the Feb. 4 RSW WG meeting Working Group members reviewed the GreenStep Cities best practices for #22, Managing Solid Waste: Increase Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling. Recommendations are being prepared. Trash Burners Members discussed the pro's and con's of municipal trash burners. Concern was expressed about how hazardous materials are handled. Information was shared as to how the burner is regulated and monitored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Pollution Control Agency. Mr. Rudnicki commented that the common good perspective would be zero waste as opposed to burning trash. Ms. Julie Mellum expressed a concern about fine particulates from wood being burned and was concerned about Edina acquiring a burner. Ms. Latham commented that the city is not considering a wood burner for energy or even a garbage burner. A tour of the Hennepin Counties' Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis will be scheduled. Members could then discuss restricting refuse haulers licensing. Ms. Wilmot commented that Edina is required by Hennepin Co. to bring the City's waste to the burn plant and State law regulates the hierarchy for waste disposal with burning ranking above landfill. We would need to be careful not to create a restriction that would be in opposition to State Law. Procurement Policy Members received the City's procurement policy and comments are to be sent to Germana Paterlini. Next meeting: March 4, 2010, Edina City Hall Community Conference Room, 7:00 p.m. Adjourn Meeting adjourned 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Solvei Wilmot, R.S. Assistant Sanitarian Edina Health Department 2 NEMO or Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials is an education and training program that builds the knowledge and skills of local decision makers, elected & appointed officials, and com- munity leaders in the area of water and natural resource management. NEMO Programs provide resources that hopefully lead to more informed land use decisions for the community. This unique workshop capitalizes on the new WATER Exhibit at the Science Museum of Minne- sota and brings together experts and resources from the following collaboration: • University of Minnesota Extension - NEMO Program • Minnehaha Creek Watershed District • Nine Mile Creek Watershed District • Science Museum of Minnesota • The National Center for Earth -surface Dynamics • The Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Science �11 � ftpe � W1IM�am�rrid 901Mia Creek Museum OJ Mlnnl301!• Financial support for this program is made possible through the McKnight Foundation. You will participate in the interactive, hands-on, informative workshop. Resource specialists will lead a short presentation followed by exercises that map water resources & issues in the community, and select best management practices (BMPs) to fit your community. While you participate, your spouse & children explore the Science Museum. Children must be ac- companied by an adult during this time. You can join them at 12:00pm to continue your explora- tion and attend an Omni film. John Bilotta University of Minnesota Extension Educator - Water Resource Management & Policy Phone: 651-480-7708 Email: ibilotta@umn.edu Julie Westerlund Education & Communications Manager Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Phone: 952-471-0590 x 209 Email: Iwesterlund(a)minnehahacreek.org Claire Bleser Education and Outreach Coordinator Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Phone: 651-815-0244 Email: seri00260umn.edu FREE TICKETS FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY INCLUDES: TICKETS TO THE MUSEUM, OMNITHEATER , WATER EXHIBIT & PARKING What will we accomplish at this workshop? • Gain knowledge of water & natural resources in the Minnehaha Creek & Nine Mile Creek Watershed areas. • Identify current & future natural resource issues & decisions. Introduce resources that will be useful for implementing stormwater best practices in your community. • Have fun & collaborate on stormwater management with other leaders in the Minnehaha Creek & the Nine Mile Creek Watershed Basin areas. • Explore the Museum for FREE ! Name & Organization: Address: City, State, Zip: Email Address: Number of Additional Family Members Attending: Register by email, calling, or faxing registration Information to: Email: sowar006@umn.edu Phone 651-480-7715 Fax: 651-480-7797 NEMO c/o Theresa Sowards University of Minnesota Extension 4100 220th Street W., Suite 100 Farmington, MN 55024 Page 1 of 1 "al Q-1 Easy Office Recycling Help FAQ J -,A, , a Does your office building offer a simple and effective system for paper and cardboard recycling? ,..,,e ­_asy i ffice Recycling" plan eras created for office bi.€ildings with multiple ternan.ts sacking a recycling program. It is administered by easyoffcerecyclinn c;en; Ca has been aprcved by the Recycling and Solid vVaste v',AAinn ,„roup \A,G) of the Edina Energy and E,nvircmment Commission , l=C Get Started Today Learn about the 4 steps to implementing recycling in your office building. See how Recycling will reduce the number of trash pickups and lower the expense. Request information by emailing: info@easyofficerecvclinci.com Helping Office Building & Tenants Approxiimtely fvo-thirds of all waste entering the landfill is recyclable. And paper products used in offices are generally high-grade; of which over 75% are recyclable. A massive amount of potential recycling material is thrown in the trash every day in commercial office buildings. Whether your paper supplies are plain white paper, copier paper, office paper, inkjet paper, or letter paper, these are all easily recycled. Most cardboard products are also recyclable including most packaging. Mission Office buildings can reduce their trash expenses given that disposal rates for solid waste are much higher than rates for recycling pick-up. Moving materials from your office solid waste stream to your recycling stream will save money. The mission of "Easy Office Recycling” is to promote recycling of all paper and cardboard products in office buildings and to create an atmosphere of encouragement, action and compliance. What YOU can do If you are a tenant in an office building that does not offer recycling send us an email or have your office building owner(s) or property management company contact us. Office building owner(s) or property management companies can request a presentation on the "Easy Office Recycling" program by emailing: infcspsi_ c=fficerecyclirg.vcfn to help your building get started.